Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-07-09

ledCHlBSS vi you = NOIu, anu III lullCul
to the cause of Jesus Christ. And a
christian professor who in anyway
encourages the gay and fashionable
amusements of the world, furnishes
sad evidence that he has not put off
the former conversation, the old man
which is corrupt according to the
deceitful lusts," nor put on the new
man, which after God is created in
righteousness and true holiness" He
brings dishonor and reproach upon
his profession, throws stumbling
block in the way of sinners, offends
them that are weak, and grievously
WOUNDS the Saviour in the house of his
friends"
The great and good DR.. Alexander,
in speaking of these things, says
"The step is so easily taken from APP
parently innocent to that which is
indiscreet that tender conscience will
find it safest TO reject ALL
The ablest and most distinguished
Episcopal clergymen and bishops have
spoken out in unmistakable language
on the subject. Bishop Hopkins says:
Dancing is chargeable with aca$te cf
time, the interruption of useful study,
the indulgence of personal vanity and
the premature incitement of the
passions"
Bishop Meade says: "On account
Of its evil tendencies and accompan-
iments we ought to inquire whether its
liability to abuse, and its many ac
knowledged abuses, should not make
us frown upon it in all its forms? +? 1t
is in itself, wrong, improper, and Of
bad effect.n
Bishop McIlvaine says : SIN regard
to the theatre and the dance the only
line would draw in regard to these is
that of entire exclusion. The question
is not what we may imagine
them to be, but what they always have
been and will be, and must be in such
world as this. They are renounced
in 'the vain pomp and glory of this
world" in baptism; they are inconsistent
with the christian life, and their re-
nunciation is ratified in confirmation"
Bishop Coke says "They are so
disgraceful to the age and so ir-
reconcilable with the gospel of Christ,
that feel it my duty to the souls of
my flock to warn them who indulge in
them not to come TO the holy table
Glasses preparing for confirmation are
informed that | will not lay hands
knowingly upon anyone who is not
prepared to renounce such things.
1t is high time that the lines should be
drawn between godly and worldly
living"
Tie archbishops and bishops of the
Roman Catholic church in the United
States, assembled in Plenary Council
in Baltimore last year, say il their
Pastoral Letter: "We consider it our
duty to warn our people against those
amusements a0hich may easily become to
them an occaSion Of Sin." The applica-
ton of all this is plain.
Who then is this modern reformer-
this "sponsOr Of club in our poor
God -forsaken Frostburg-this Goliah
who single handed defies the very host
of the living God and who proposes
that we should ignore the divinely-
appointed work of the church, and to
turn to the world in hopes Of enlisting
weapons against the flesh and the devil
for the improvement Of society?
Let christians in these clubs "about
face march out, lay down their
worldly weapons, join in the spiritual
work of the church Of the living God,
the ground and pillar Of truth bear
testimony as witnesses for Jesus Of the
power and work Of the Holy Ghost in
saving souls through knowledge Of the
Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
For though We walk in the flesh, we do not
war after the flesh
For the weapons Of our warfare are not
carnal, but mighty through God to the pull
ing down of strongholds;
Casting down imaginations, and every high
thing that eXalteth itself against the knowl-
edge Of God and bringing into captivity
every thought to the obedience of Christ
Cor. X, 80.
i ADDISON WuIrAEER